How Many Grams of Sugar Per Serving Are OK After Gastric Bypass?

Anthony Isaac Palacios

Gastric bypass surgery is performed for individuals who wish to lose a substantial amount of weight. After surgery, your stomach is significantly reduced in size and it is important to monitor your food intake carefully. Eating too much sugar in one serving can lead to several complications such as nausea, vomiting and dumping syndrome. Consult with your health care provider or registered dietitian for your specific nutritional guidelines based on your condition.

Sugar Recommendation

Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass surgery should limit their sugar intake to no more than 10 g of sugar per serving, recommends Rush University Medical Center. That is equivalent to 2 1/2 tsp. of sugar per serving. The University of Ohio Medical Center recommends to focus on sugar-free products that provide less than 5 g of sugar per serving. You should eat 4 to 6 small meals a day that are high in protein and low in fat and sugar.

Sugar and Gastric Bypass

Eating too much sugar in one serving can result in excess sugars being "dumped" into your bowel. This is known as Dumping syndrome and it can occur as early as 10 minutes after eating. Signs and symptoms associated with dumping syndrome include weakness, nausea, cramping and diarrhea. The Ohio State University Medical Center recommends to lie down for 30 to 60 minutes at the first sign of dumping syndrome. If your painful symptoms persist, seek medical attention.

Acceptable Foods

Avoid highly processed foods with added sugars and focus on fresh foods with natural sugars. Examples include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products. Consume 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Choose fat-free dairy products. Completely avoid sweets or concentrated amounts of sugar. Examples include table sugar, candies, honey, cookies, cakes and other baked goods. Sweetened beverages and soft drinks with sugars should also be avoided. Read labels carefully and avoid products with the following as their main ingredient -- sugar, sucrose, honey, corn syrup, fructose or dextrose. In addition to sugar, avoid sugar alcohols found in many foods such as sorbitol, malitol and mannitol.

Diet Considerations

Take small bites and thoroughly chew your food before swallowing. Cutting your food into smaller pieces will help you swallow them. Immediately stop eating when you begin to feel full. Too much liquid can also cause dumping syndrome. Consume 48 to 68 oz. of liquid daily, or 6 to 8 cups. Do not have any liquids with your meals.